california container

What california container does

California Container Company (Cal Container Co) is a private U.S. industrial packaging manufacturer that produces 100% recyclable fiber drums for the storage and shipping of liquid and dry products. The company was formally incorporated in 2021 as an affiliate of The Morning Star Company, a vertically integrated tomato ingredient producer founded in 1970 by Chris Rufer, although its drum manufacturing process has been in development over the prior decade. Headquartered at 12045 South Ingomar Grade Road, Los Banos, California, the company operates a large-capacity manufacturing facility in Santa Nella, California, capable of producing over 2 million drums per year with diameters ranging from 12.5 to 23 inches and volumes from 7.5 to 75 gallons (up to 100 gallons for select lines). The product portfolio comprises seven distinct drum lines: Ful-Fi Drums, Lock-Rim Drums, Liquid-Pack Drums, Wire-Pack Drums, Dehydrated Product Drums (aseptic bag-in-fiber), All-Weather-Pack Drums, and Economy Drums, addressing dry, semi-liquid, liquid, aseptic, wire-dispensing, weather-resistant, and budget applications.

The company's core technology is fiber drum construction that delivers strength, stocking capacity, and temperature consistency equivalent to metal and plastic drums at lower cost and full recyclability, with FDA-compliant raw materials for food packaging. Manufacturing is conducted under strict health and safety standards at the Santa Nella facility, and raw materials are certified compliant with relevant FDA requirements. The product lines span single-wall and laminated constructions, all-fiber builds without metal parts, multi-layer laminate for weather resistance, and aseptic bag-in-fiber systems specifically for tomato and other food ingredients.

California Container Company generates revenue through direct industrial sales of fiber drums via phone (209) 829-5025, email ([email protected]), and its corporate website. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Customers span four vertical segments: food processing (primary, including processed fruits and vegetables, dehydrated products, powders, spices, sauces, and almond milk), chemical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Distribution is direct to industrial customers within the USA only, with no disclosed distributor or marketplace channel infrastructure. The company is privately held, has no disclosed venture funding, and is managed by the same team operating Morning Star Tomato Company.

Name

california container

Legal name

California Container Company

Website

https://calcontainerco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Short description

California Container Company is a private U.S. manufacturer of 100% recyclable fiber drums for storage and shipping of wet and dry products, serving food processing, chemical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical customers via direct industrial sales from its Santa Nella, California facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Fiber Drum Manufacturing

NAICS

Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing (322211)

SIC

Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650)

akta.pro primary industry

Tertiary/Transit Packaging for Food & Beverage (IMALAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Virgin Containerboard (Kraft Linerboard) Manufacturing (IMAMAFAA)

Keywords

• Recyclable fiber drums
• Industrial packaging drums
• Food grade containers
• Bulk storage drums
• Drum manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Banos

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Fiber Drum Sales: Manufacture and sale of 100% recyclable fiber drums to industrial customers across food processing, chemical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Revenue generated from direct product sales with pricing based on drum type, size, and volume options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

California Container Company manufactures and sells 100% recyclable fiber drums in seven configurations (Ful-Fi, Lock-Rim, Liquid-Pack, Wire-Pack, Dehydrated Product, All-Weather-Pack, and Economy) for industrial storage and shipping of wet and dry products. The drums are FDA-compliant for food packaging, range from 12.5 to 23 inches in diameter and 7.5 to 75 gallons in volume, and are produced at a Santa Nella, California facility capable of over 2 million drums per year.

Product overview

California Container Company offers a comprehensive line of 100% recyclable fiber drums for the storage and shipping of wet and dry products. The product portfolio consists of seven distinct drum types: Ful-Fi Drums (versatile all-purpose drums for dry materials), Lock-Rim Drums (economical option with tamper-evident sealing), Liquid-Pack Drums (laminated interior for liquids/semi-liquids), Wire-Pack Drums (for wire/tubing dispensing), Dehydrated Product Drums (aseptic bag-in-fiber system for food products), All-Weather-Pack Drums (climate-resistant multi-layer laminate drums), and Economy Drums (budget-friendly option for loose/bagged contents). All drums share core characteristics including FDA approval for food packaging, lightweight durability, stackability, and the same strength and temperature consistency as metal and plastic alternatives at lower cost. The company operates a large capacity facility in Santa Nella, California, manufacturing over 2 million drums annually with diameters ranging from 12.5 to 23 inches and volume capacities from 7.5 to 75 gallons (up to 100 gallons for certain models).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ful-Fi Drums Versatile 100% recyclable fiber drums for dry and solid materials, hot pour resins, and rolled products; available in eight diameter sizes (12.5" to 23") with 30 volume options ranging from 7.5 to 100 gallons; single-wall fabrication, all-fiber construction with or without metal parts, low tare weight, telescoping offset cover with positive flush tape and offset tape seals.
• Lock-Rim Drums Low-cost fiber drums for dry, solid, and semi-liquid products; available in seven diameter sizes (14" to 23") with 32 volume options ranging from 6 to 100 gallons; fully opening cover with tamper-evident sealing, barrier and laminate options, very low tare weight, smooth fiber interior.
• Liquid-Pack Drums Fiber drums designed for liquid and semi-liquid applications featuring a fully laminated interior surface, available with plastic or steel covers.
• Wire-Pack Drums Fiber drums for packing and dispensing wire, tubing, and various contents from a center core; available in seven diameter sizes (14" to 23") with 32 volume options ranging from 6 to 75 gallons; constructed entirely of fiber with no metal parts.
• Dehydrated Product Drums Aseptic bag-in-fiber drum system specifically designed for tomato products and other food products; available in seven diameter sizes (14" to 23").
• All-Weather-Pack Drums Weather and climate-resistant fiber drums for dry, semi-liquid, liquid, and solid products; available in one diameter size (21.5") with 5 volume options ranging from 44 to 58 gallons; multi-layer laminate construction and easy stacking.
• Economy Drums Low-cost fiber drums for shipping loose or bagged contents; available in two diameter sizes (12.5" and 14") with 27 volume options ranging from 8.5 to 55 gallons; easy-open and re-secure design with plastic covers and bottoms, and polyethylene bag and sleeve options.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2 million drums manufactured per year with capacity to increase

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• The Morning Star CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalifornia Container Company is operated by the same management team of Morning Star Tomato Company. The company enjoys the backing and support of this 50+ year old enterprise and benefits from its experience and expertise. Morning Star provides vertically integrated services through its enterprise companies.
• Morning Star Tomato CompanycoreOthersMorning Star Tomato Company is the parent company whose management team operates California Container Company. Founded in 1970, it is a tomato ingredient producer known for its vertically integrated operations and self-management culture.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Sonoco Products Company: Diversified global packaging manufacturer with industrial and consumer packaging divisions including rigid paper containers, drums, and protective packaging. Overlaps with California Container in fiber-based rigid containers and industrial shipping packaging but operates across a much broader product portfolio.
• Amcor plc: Global packaging company with rigid and flexible packaging across food, beverage, healthcare, and industrial markets. Competes with California Container in food and pharma packaging end markets, though primarily through plastic and metal-based rigid containers.
• Smurfit Kappa: Global paper-based packaging leader producing corrugated boxes, containerboard, and specialty fiber packaging including industrial drums. Comparable as a fiber-input supplier and competing manufacturer of fiber-based industrial containers, though far larger and more diversified.
• WestRock Company: Major North American paper and packaging company producing containerboard, corrugated boxes, and consumer packaging. Overlaps with California Container on the fiber-based packaging substrate side and on industrial shipping container end products.
• International Paper: Largest global producer of containerboard and corrugated packaging with operations spanning fiber sourcing, paper manufacturing, and converted packaging. Relevant peer as a fiber-input supplier and as a manufacturer of rigid fiber-based industrial containers.

Direct peers

• Greif, Inc. Global manufacturer of industrial packaging including steel, plastic, and fiber drums under the Greif and Fibre Drum Division brands. Directly competes with California Container across food, chemical, and pharmaceutical end markets, particularly in steel and plastic 55-gallon drums that California Container positions itself against on cost.
• Mauser Packaging Solutions: Major industrial packaging manufacturer producing steel, plastic, and fiber drums, IBCs, and reconditioning services. Competes head-to-head with California Container in food, chemical, and pharma packaging, and is one of the most established fiber drum competitors globally.
• Paper Systems Inc. Mid-sized U.S. fiber drum manufacturer specializing in fiber and steel containers for food, chemical, and industrial customers. Directly comparable niche player competing with California Container for industrial fiber drum customers, particularly in food-grade applications.
• Orlando Drum & Container Corporation: U.S. manufacturer of fiber drums serving food, chemical, pharmaceutical, and waste industries with a broad range of sizes. Directly competes with California Container in North American fiber drum supply, particularly for industrial and specialty dry/solid applications.
• EnviroPaek (EnviroPak): Manufacturer of fiber-based drums and containers for industrial and food-grade applications. Directly comparable to California Container as a fiber drum specialist serving similar wet/dry product storage and shipping use cases.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about california container